Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United odds, picks and predictions

The Columbus Crew (1 win, 1 loss, 1 draw) welcome Atlanta United (2-0-1) to Lower.com Field on Saturday night with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Below, we preview Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United odds, and make our best expert MLS picks and predictions.

The Crew are coming off a 2-1 loss on the road against the New York Red Bulls. They took a 1-0 lead into halftime after a 33rd-minute goal from Alexandru Matan but relinquished their lead immediately after half giving up a 45th-minute equalizer. They ultimately lost the match after allowing a 103rd-minute goal. In the match, the Crew allowed 20 shots with 4 of them being on target as opposed to only having 5 shots with just 3 on target.

Atlanta annihilated the Portland Timbers last week with a 5-1 home victory. Astonishingly, 4 of the 6 goals in the match came in the 45th minute, 1 before half and 3 after. Atlanta dominated all aspects of the match with 18 shots and 8 on target compared to allowing just 9 shots and 3 on target. Atlanta’s offense moved to 1st in the MLS in goals per game after the performance (2.8).

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Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United odds

Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:35 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline:
• Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United picks and predictions

Prediction

Atlanta United 2, Columbus Crew 1

LEAN ATLANTA UNITED +170

While it will be playing on the road, Atlanta’s offense has been dominating this season, scoring 8 goals in its last 2 matches and averaging 6 shots on target this season. Atlanta is in top form and sits atop the Eastern Conference standings through 4 matches. With a +8 goal differential this season, it far outweighs the Crew’s -2 goal differential.

The Crew’s defense has struggled this season allowing 1.8 goals per game, putting them 25th in the MLS in that metric, while also falling apart in the 2nd half and allowing 1.3 goals in the back 45 (27th).

While playing a visitor may frequently be a risky play, Atlanta United is the exception given their history thus far making them a great option for a moneyline play.

BET OVER +2.5 (-115).

Columbus is allowing 1.8 goals per game right now while Atlanta is averaging 2.8.

Atlanta has gone Over this total in 3 of its 4 matches while Columbus has topped this line in 2 of its 4 while also allowing multiple goals in 2 of its 4. The pace of this match with Atlanta’s top defense combined with the inconsistent Columbus defense will allow for many opportunities to find the back of the net.

Take the OVER 2.5 (-115).

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